The Fantasy Sports Landscape: Profiles, Passions, and Participation

This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database via our AI content generation tool, DataScribe, which supported its creation. Get access here.

Fantasy sports have become a popular pastime for many Americans, but CivicScience data reveal intriguing differences between those who play and those who don’t.

When examining the demographics, fantasy sports players tend to be male and fall between the ages of 35 and 54. Additionally, fantasy sports players generally have higher incomes, with over one-fifth earning more than $150,000 annually, compared to just 12% of non-players. This could indicate that fantasy sports attract individuals with more disposable income.

Education also plays a role, as 29% of fantasy sports players hold a Bachelor’s degree, compared to 20% of non-players. Furthermore, nearly half of the players are parents, which is slightly higher than the 39% of non-players who are parents. This could imply that fantasy sports offer a way for parents to engage with sports in a flexible manner.

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While it’s no surprise that fantasy sports players are predominantly male, the data show that nearly three-quarters of them are men. However, what’s more surprising is the level of passion — or lack thereof — these players have for sports as a whole. Only 20% of fantasy sports players consider sports a passion, while a notable 16% aren’t interested in sports at all. This suggests that the appeal of fantasy sports might extend beyond a simple love for the game.

Overall, CivicScience data highlight that while fantasy sports players are more likely to be male and have higher incomes, their passion for sports isn’t as overwhelming as one might expect. The data suggest that fantasy sports might serve as a social or strategic outlet rather than a purely sports-driven activity. These insights provide a nuanced understanding of the fantasy sports landscape and its participants.